Abingdon Marathon 2023

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I am back in Abingdon in time for the Abingdon Marathon. The Caution Runners signs were in place last night when I got home, and this morning the Abingdon Marathon started at Tilsley Park at 9 a.m.

Near the Oxford Road roundabout, three minutes into the race, the first runner, Alex Teuten of Southampton AC, already had a good lead over the other runners. He went on to win in a time of 2 hours 19 minutes and 22 seconds. The fastest ever time in 1986 was 2 hours 19 minutes and 7 seconds (ref 1). So this is the second fastest time and the record for the current course (used since 2016).

The sun was shining at the start and stayed dry throughout, which was a change from recent wet weather.

There were 738 competitors at the start line, and they took a few minutes to all get started.

On Abingdon Market Place (nearly 5 miles into the race), there was a good crowd of spectators to cheer the competitors on.

After the 5-mile mark at St Helen’s Wharf one of the marshals congratulated each of the competitor by name. He sounded like their personal coach. ‘Well done Mike. You are running well Tina & etc.’

I asked him how he knew so many of the runners and he said, their names are on their shirts. It’s an example of the incredible volunteers and marshals who line the course and make this such a fine community marathon.

The event is organised by Abingdon AC and volunteers from clubs across Oxfordshire.

The marathon also helps raise money for good causes, and fosters good relations. Scott was one person fostering good relations and making people smile. He is a Joggler (jogs and juggles) and finished with a time of 4 hours 23 minutes and 12 seconds. He has a Sanctuary vest. Sanctuary runners bring people together in communities, especially, asylum seekers and refugees.

ref 1: https://abingdonmarathon.org.uk/history.php

Back to Normal

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During the fair, we had the rare sight of West St Helen Street with no parked or moving cars. While East St Helen Street was far busier than usual. But things were back to normal today now the fair has gone.

The scarecrow that was perched on top of the postbox during most of the fair was gone this evening.

Hopefully, somebody has second thoughts and returns him.

I am reminded that the runaway fair will be here next weekend.

Abingdon Michaelmas Fair 2023 – Monday in words and pictures

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The late afternoon sun brightened the route of the fair along Ock Street and High Street to the Market Place.

Crowds streamed in both directions

and the sun went down, and darkness came, and the children’s rides slowed.

The bright lights of the bigger fair rides and their pulsing music then vied for people’s attention.

Personally, I prefer to watch and take pictures, which is almost as thrilling as going on the rides.

Low scores are better in some places in the fair where scoring under 40 with four darts can win a prize. Under 12 wins a big prize.

Cuddly octopus prizes seemed to be a favourite on several stalls. On this one you need to score over 30 for a big octopus but every player gets an octopus.

Bob Marley reggae music pulsed from a shop at the top of West St Helen Street, its yellow, green, and black balloons celebrating Jamaica. A new caterer, advertising and serving Afro-Caribbean cuisine, will open there and are there for the fair.

And for those who had not overindulged in chorizos, candy floss, freshly cooked doughnuts, or overly bumpy or upside-down rides, there were also curries, fish and chips, German sausages, and foods from all around the world at the Abingdon Michaelmas Fair.